Race to find base for casino

There are already a number of key sites where the money-spinning business could go but council chiefs have made it clear the decision is far from made.

A council spokesman said it was likely to be a "competitive process" if several bids were received.

Dunstall Park is poised to submit plans to host Europe's first racino - a £20 million masterplan that would secure the future of the ground for years and create 200 jobs.

The proposal from owners Arena Leisure includes tripling the size of the Holiday Inn and creating a health club. Gambling giant Ladbrokes were recently revealed to be interested in running the operation.

But developers behind the Bluebrick development at the historic Low Level station have also recently announced they hope to build a casino on the site.

The £35 million scheme already includes an 88-bedroom hotel, 208 apartments, a car showroom and a pub on the 9.5-acre site off Wednesfield Road and Sun Street.

And casino giant Grosvenor is keen to build an enterprise in the city.

The West Midlands' biggest winner was the National Exhibition Centre. Solihull Council, which covers the NEC's patch, was granted one of the licences for what are being categorised as "large" casinos.

A step down from Las Vegas-style "super" casinos, the venues will have floorspace of 1,000-1,500 sq metres, up to 150 slot machines and a maximum jackpot of £4,000, expected to create more than 200 jobs.

While the licence is a green light for a such a casino in the borough, it is no guarantee that the centre will be the location for the development.

However it is believed to be strategists' top pick.

Brierley Hill business leaders said they were bitterly disappointed at losing a stake to build a casino in the town - but vowed a planned revamp of the area would steam ahead regardless.If the town had struck it lucky the preferred site was sprawling land behind the Odeon cinema at the Merry Hill Centre which is also earmarked for restaurants, cafes, a hotel and apartments.

Spokesman for the Brierley Hill Regeneration Partnership, Tom Slater, said: "We are confident the regeneration of the town will continue with work starting on the bypass in April and the new health and social care centre due to begin in the summer."